News Release

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Man Advances on Officer’s with Knife in Hand NR11475kr

UPDATEOctober 14, 2011The officer involved in the below shooting which occurred on October 11, 2011 has been identified as Police Officer II Justin Tatlow, Serial No. 38303, 5 years and 1 month with the Department.

Los Angeles: LAPD officers investigating a man possibly driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol were threatened by that suspect when he advanced on them in an aggressive and threatening manner with a knife in his hand, resulting in an officer involved shooting.

On October 11, 2011, at about 2:15 a.m., two Pacific Area patrol officers made a traffic stop on a car, whose driver had they had seen exhibiting signs of driving while intoxicated. During the initial contact and DUI investigation the officers formed the opinion that the suspect, 24-year-old Jacob Kirk Ascensio, was DUI and asked the suspect to get out of the car to continue their investigation.

When Ascensio got out of the car he was armed with a knife, carrying it in a threatening manner by holding it pointed at the officers while he advanced on them. He refused the officers orders to drop the knife and continued to walk towards them. Trying to maintain a safe distance between themselves and Ascensio, the officers began walking backwards while giving him commands to stop and drop the knife. When Ascensio failed to follow their lawful orders, the officers put out a request for help over their hand-held radios. Ascensio walking briskly, started taking off his clothes, his sweatshirt, his shirt, while gaining ground on the officers. The officers retreated a considerable distance, ending up in the street exposed to vehicle traffic. As Ascensio continued to quickly walk towards them, an officer involved shooting occurred. Ascensio was hit by gunfire, once in the abdomen. He surrendered and was taken into custody by the officers at the scene.

Officers immediately called for medical help. Los Angeles City Fire Department personnel responded and transported Ascensio to a local area hospital where he is listed in stable condition. During the initial investigation, officers recovered an open utility knife at the scene.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s use-of-force policy which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable. Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the officer-involved shooting.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call Force Investigation Division at 213-486-5200, during business hours. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.